They've staged numerous small- to mid-level fight cards around town, all with an eye on eventually snaring the big prize in the Golden Boy Promotions stable — Mexican sensation Saul “Canelo” Alvarez.

“He's the guy right now, the fighter everyone wants to see,” Battah said. “James and I have been targeting him all along.”

It's taken some effort, but they finally got their man.

Alvarez (41-0-1, 30 KOs) will face off against Austin Trout (26-0, 14 KOs) in a battle of unbeaten junior middleweight champions April 20 at the Alamodome.

The pair will meet to unify their title belts — Alvarez owns the WBC version, Trout the WBA crown — atop a card that could also include San Antonio bantamweight Raul Martinez in his first fight since undergoing surgery to his biceps late last summer.

Most Popular

“This is a megafight,” said Leija, a former world champion who is teaming with Battah to promote a fight card Saturday at Our Lady of the Lake University. “Alvarez is a star, the king of Mexico. This is going to be great for the city. It's during Fiesta. It's exciting.”

But Alvarez reportedly wanted a written guarantee he would get a showdown with Mayweather should both win.

When Mayweather declined the request, Alvarez opted to headline his own date.

Battah said Richard Schaefer, CEO of De La Hoya's Golden Boy Promotions, began looking for another home for Alvarez-Trout and narrowed his choices to Los Angeles and San Antonio, before choosing the Alamo City.

Nicknamed “Canelo,” Spanish for cinnamon, because of his red hair, freckles and light complexion, Alvarez has taken the boxing world by storm.

Only 22, the Jalisco native is known for his aggressive style and raw punching power.

A native of Las Cruces, N.M., Trout, 27, is a slick southpaw who sticks and moves but also can punch.

Despite the risk, Alvarez reportedly took the fight to quiet critics who have questioned his opposition.

“This is not a gimme for Canelo by any means,” said Leija, who has seen Alvarez fight several times and has spoken to him often. “It's going to be a good, tough fight. They're both world champions for a reason.”

Battah said he and Leija are flying to Los Angeles on Monday to finalize details of the fight card and begin preparation for what figures to be one of the major events of the year in boxing.

A four-city tour to promote the show will include a stop in San Antonio and two in Mexico, Battah said.

He said tickets likely will go on sale next week. Prices have not been determined.